The origins of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Military Services go back to 1911 when the Catholic Bishops of Australia delegated the Archbishop of Melbourne to confer with the Department of Defence concerning the appointment of chaplains.
In 1917, the Church appointed Archbishop Daniel Mannix of Melbourne to take over the Defence Force responsibilities and he was appointed Chaplain-General (Catholic).
During World War II, Archbishop Mannix was responsible for the welfare of Catholic Defence members. He continued as Chaplain-General until his death in 1963.
In 1969 the Church, wishing to further develop a structure by which military members could be supported spiritually and pastorally, created the Military Vicariate with its first full-time bishop. Bishop Morgan was appointed the first full-time Military Vicar.
The Military Ordinariate was established in 1986, then commonly known as the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force and now referred to as the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Military Services. There have been two Bishops since this time: Bishop Geoffrey Mayne and Bishop Max Davis.
On 18 July 2003, in accordance with the requirements of Canon Law in regard to age-retirement and ill health, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Mayne and appointed Bishop Max Davis to succeed him as Military Ordinary of Australia.
Bishop Davis was consecrated Bishop in St. Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra on 22 August 2003 and took possession of the See on the same date. Bishop Davis retired in 2021. From then on present Archbishop Christopher Prowse is Episcopal Administrator until a new Military Bishop is appointed.
Over a period of 100-plus years, the church has sought to support members of the Australian Defence Force and their families, spiritually and pastorally. The mission remains constant today. Over 1000 Catholic Chaplains, either full time or part time, have served in Defence since 1885.
There are billets for 30 full-time Chaplains, and over 80 Chaplains are involved at present in various aspects of the work of the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia.
Our Diocese is spread out all of over the country
with Chapels located in each State, served by dedicated Chaplains.
